The Busker Stop is the latest stage edition at Fuji Rock and it just — though perhaps, only just — manages to squeeze itself into an already crowded schedule. It’s true that the predominantly Japanese artists appearing on this stage are not going to set the world alight in the same way as those appearing at the Field of Heaven or Orange Court, but that’s certainly not taking anything away from them. That said, Emi Eleonola is a peculiar choice for the Busker Stop. For a start, she plays a massive keyboard, something that might be difficult to lug around the back streets of Shibuya when you’re out to make a little pocket change on a Tuesday night. Playing jazz standards and singing with a deft aggressiveness that would probably see her survive on the streets if she had to, Emi Eleonola had the relaxed afternoon crowd in front of her eating out of her hand — if only they weren’t more interested in slurping Ben & Jerry’s cones that were available a short distance away. And she certainly performed with passion, at one point throwing aside the mic to sing unaccompanied to the crowd lounging around in deck chairs in front of her. Her powerful jazz tunes were sometimes drowned out by the drums at the Stoned Circle, which perhaps suggests the Busker Stop is one stage too many for Fuji Rock. But it wasn’t a stage too far for Emi Eleonola, who drew positive applause at the end of her set. One can only wonder if we’ll have a chance to hear her playing in front of Shinjuku Station with her keyboard one day soon. You’re probably more likely to see her perform at the same stage at Fuji Rock next year…